PowerProtect Data Manager: TSDM backup would have periodical slowness
Summary: PowerProtect Data Manager Transparent Snapshots over Transparent Snapshot Data Mover (TSDM) backup would have periodical slowness with big data changes. DD reduction observed between 90-99%. ...
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Symptoms
- Protection Mechanism is Transparent Snapshot (TSDM)
- It is larger than expected data written to PowerProtect DD and often close to the size of the VM disks.
- Backup shows huge data amounts though there are little to no changes occurring on the VM.
- 90-99% Reduction rate observed.
- Backup takes longer than expected intermittently
- Issue is often observed on a weekly basis
Cause
There are several issues on the VMware LWD side that affect the reported changed data for backup.
PowerProtect Data Manager TSDM uses VMware LWD snapshot and the VM backup type.
- During a Full Backup, there is an LWD Full sync followed by a Delta Sync for every VM disk.
- During a Synthetic Full Backup, there is a Delta Sync for every VM disk.
https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?legacyId=2150251
Resolution
Workaround:
Option 1: To continue to use PowerProtect Data Manager TSDM.
Disabling unmap/fstrim/trim in the guest OS as per https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article?legacyId=2150251
Option 2: Switch to PowerProtect Data Manager VADP
If avoid OS-level changes, use VADP Protection Mechanism to back up VMs, bypassing the VMware issue.
Affected Products
PowerProtect Data Manager, PowerProtect SoftwareArticle Properties
Article Number: 000215098
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 25 Mar 2026
Version: 4
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